Archives for August 2016

Awareness by Rowan Shannigan

—Tracey L. Pacelli, Author of Time Warped

Awareness by Rowan Shannigan

This is a Young Adult novel written from the main character’s viewpoint and we get to see her world through her eyes. She is a strong willed girl who is determined to make her life as normal as possible. It’s a fun read about a girl who has to accept herself and come to terms with her life all the while preparing for her junior year in high school! I recommend it!

—Kathleen S. Allen, Author of If It’s Monday, it Must be Murder

Birds of a Feather by Leslie Soule

—Jim Woods, Author of So You Want to be an Author?

Blood Curse by Tamara Lowery

Viktor overtakes any sea he sails with his loyal crew. He is a man to be feared, a man to be hated. His reputation as a blood thirsty pirate preceeds him, as does his appetite for the wenches. When his lusting and killing has gone too far, Vik becomes the prey when Mamaan Juma seeks her revenge, and Vik is turned into a vampire by her voodoo curse. His only hope of surviving is to search for the seven powerful Sisters whose witchcraft can break the spell. But, they do not give of their powers willingly, and Vik has many trials to pass before he can bring their magic back to Mother Celie, and be cured.

“Phenomenal story teller”

Author Tamara A. Lowery is a phenomenal story teller. Her magical web entangles the reader, and pulls them into her pirate’s grasp. Her characters are vivid and real, making you like even the most horrible of the lot. What woman would not want to be held captive by Captain Viktor Brandewyne, the most notorious pirate who ever sailed the seas?

Blood Curse is book one in the Waves of Darkness Series. Like Viktor’s need for fresh blood, this fresh take on pirate/vampire lore is one that will keep readers craving more. Will he find the sisters in time? Read the series to find out. I know I certainly will.

Callie’s Fate by Lee-Ann Vinson

Callie is a workaholic who, contrary to her dreams, has settled for a husband who is not tall dark and handsome. The couple are total opposites, and yet their marriage has lasted for fourteen years.

Callie returns from a business trip early to surprise her husband on their anniversary. She arrives early in the morning and observes a woman leave their house with a wrinkled skirt after having obviously been there keeping Donald entertained. Callie decides enough is enough. She drives away to a coffee shop in anger and hurt, her life and marriage in a shambles.

“I nearly choked…”

I nearly choked on my own coffee with laughter at Lee-Ann’s words when the Barista asks for her drink order. Callie invents a new one. The one bright spot in her life is in the form of a handsome Marine, but is he just a character in her steaming hot dreams?

Through Lee-Ann’s words you share Callie’s emotions of anger, frustration, vengeance and humor. I highly recommend it to readers.

Georgia’s Smile by Lee-Ann Graff Vinson

If It’s Monday, It Must be Murder

by Kathleen S. Allen

After taking a bullet to the spine during an investigation, Mel can no longer work as a detective. When her best friend, Cindy, is told her daughter has jumped to her death from the Tower Building on her campus, Cindy and Mel suspect foul play. With the bullet from the shooter still lodged in her spine, Mel launches her own investigation that uncovers many unknown facets of young Jessie’s troubled life.

Along the way, Byron, Mel’s former partner on the force and love interest before the shooting, has come back into her life. When investigation bears out that Jessie’s death was indeed a homicide, Byron is the detective assigned to the case. Although no longer privy to police business, Mel proceeds on her own, managing to offend Cindy and her three other children in the process. She can’t walk more than three steps without the use of her cane, but Mel doesn’t give up her own search until it is almost too late—for her.

“Delicious murder mystery indeed”

Author Kathleen S. Allen sets the tone for a delicious murder mystery indeed. Questionable characters keep the reader guessing until the very end. It is always a delight to read a whodunit when the murderer is not the character one would least suspect, but one no one would suspect. Kathleen weaves a tale of intrigue and catches her readers with their backs turned.

If It’s Monday, It Must Be Murder will bring out your inner detective and urge you to read on until the case is solved. A book definitely worth your time, and gray matter.

Love and Liberty

by Lee-Ann Graff Vinson

Faced with her husband’s infidelity, she makes the decision to move on with her life… Without him. Her heart hurts, but she knows it’s time to cut her losses and move on.

Meanwhile, an online friend is going through a similar situation. And the time just seems right. There is an attraction there between them that neither can deny. But is it the right time? And is what they feel real? Or, is it just something building because of the heat of the moment?

The Author weaves a short and sweet tale that pulls at the basic emotions of the reader. It isn’t hard to empathize with the heroine’s pain and desires. It’s a good read to use as an escape for a time.

☆☆☆☆ All the way.

Love’s Trust by Lee-Ann Graff Vinson

“excellent grasp of … the troubles facing today’s veterans”

I am not as familiar with military culture as I once was, since I no longer live near any bases nor have close relatives still in active duty. However, going by news articles I have seen in recent years and things I have heard from a former coworker who pulled two tours in Iraq, I believe Ms. Vinson has an excellent grasp of some of the troubles facing today’s veterans and active military personnel, and she has worked them into this romance in a very believable and acceptable way.

Once again, I have to say MORE! This was great, but it could be easily expanded on to make it novella length.

McCann’s Manor: Portal by Charlotte Holley

Screen legend John Carter still looks ravishing in his now early fifties, and is even more dashing in person, as Liz pleasantly ascertains. Kim and Liz agree to look at a home owned by a dear friend of his, which has been haunted since the death of its original owner, Ben McCann, in the late 1700’s. The house is unwelcoming by virtue of the strange occurrences and unfriendly spirits. The two women agree to move into McCann’s Manor in an attempt to release the phantoms that walk the halls. Will they be able to find out the true reason behind the torment before another soul is taken by the Manor?

“tangled web of deceit and heartache”

Author Charlotte Holley weaves a tangled web of deceit and heartache. This book is intricately written and will have you on the edge of your seat. She combines both the real and paranormal worlds perfectly, drawing you deeper into the unknown. If you love perplexing paranormal activity, you will definitely enjoy the complex design of characters that make up McCann’s Manor.

Not Good Enough by G. E. Stills

Sneaky Shenanigans by Violetta Antcliff

Author Violetta Antcliff weaves a lovely tale of respectable courtship in the days of yore and the humanity of the times.

This is a story that will leave you with a warm heart and a smile as you recall a few of your own Sneaky Shenanigans.

Spam Vs. the Vampire

by K. B. Dundee

as told to Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

The Eyes Have It by Denise Bartlett

The Eyes Have It by Denise Bartlett

Author Denise Bartlett paints a chilling picture of how far a woman will go to find salvation. This electrifying short will have you guessing to the very end.

The Silver House by Janet French

The Silver House begins in the middle of a battle. Some Mothers and Sisters, citizens who have been trained or are in training to use the Power, are trying to keep the children they are protecting calm and happy in the midst of all the chaos. Other Sisters are still searching the city at the beginning of the story, trying to gather the children and bring them to the safety of The Silver House. They must be kept safe from the Zashrans, a sect of men who are destroying the city and seeking to destroy the people who are able to harness and use the Power. And all of this is JUST the first chapter!

“two women who were able to harness the Power”

This is not a book for someone looking for a nice relaxing read to pass the time with. Oh, no! This story made me feel like I was running a race! My body was actually tired, as if I had been one of the poor children, running for my life with the help of the two women who were able to harness the Power in their fight to find a safe place for the survivors they had found. Yet, I’d put the story down, do something else, and inevitably find myself drawn back to it later, wanting more; needing more.

The storyline is excellent. Ms. French’s world and characters are real and believable. I feel it is an Epic adventure, worthy of being compared to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Parts of it are cruel and scary. There are moments in it where the reader will be completely worn out and ready to cry. It expertly sets the stage for the next book in the series and made me stomp my foot, wanting more when I finally made it through. Definitely worth five stars, and this reader is waiting with for the next in the series!

Through the Flames by Denise Bartlett

Through the Flames by Denise Bartlett

“an important message”

In the midst of the current national debate on the safety of football and concerns about the long term effects of repeated head injuries, this novel brings an important message that couldn’t be more timely, and might even save lives. Obviously written from the heart, this story will reach in and touch yours. It’s clear Denise Bartlett is subjecting her fictional character to all the classic concussion symptoms in hopes that fewer real people will endure them.

Read Through the Flames, and you’ll share that hope too.

Through the Flames by Denise Bartlett

But his own physical pain and recuperation are not all he has to worry about. He has two brothers—one older, one younger—each with his own issues. The boys have pretty much been on their own this year because Dad is gone for the season; and Mom . . . well, let’s just say Mom has her own issues too. Then his father suffers an injury that brings the entire family back together, which is good and not so good.

“Larry tries to … be the tower of strength”

Larry tries to keep himself together and be the tower of strength everyone is used to him being. Only, one way or another, he keeps getting knocked down, both figuratively and in reality. One injury after another finally begins to take its toll, and soon Larry must accept that the one thing he always wanted to do with his life, may no longer be an option.

Through the Flames is not my normal reading material, but having a teenage son who likes to play football made me curious. Denise Bartlett weaves a tale that is not only entertaining and gripping, emotional and heart-wrenching, but also informative. America’s favorite pastime sport is not the only cause of these types of brain injuries, but many players suffer injuries just like Larry and his father’s every year.

Of course, there is no way to avoid these injuries completely, and no one is going to stop playing the game. Reading a book like this, and learning more about the warning signs, can be a good way to help avoid the danger by raising awareness. This book is a keeper.

Through the Flames by Denise Bartlett

“… feel their pain, their hopes and their dreams”

You don’t need to know anything about TBI or football. The author, Denise Bartlett, expertly draws the reader into the world of high school football, to the point where you’re standing on the 50 yard line with the players in the field. But you also feel their pain, their hopes and their dreams for that elusive college scholarship, and the lure of a megabucks professional football career, and the grief when it becomes more important than family, health and love. As Larry’s injuries accumulate, his broken family pulls together for him, and as he recovers, they mend old hurts and misunderstandings. If Larry Allen chooses to continue football instead of recovery it could cost him the very things he loves.

Time Warped by Tracey L. Pacelli

Zvonek 08 by Anne H. Petzer